How to Change Your Password in Windows 11

Changing Your Password (If You Remember It)

You can change your Windows 11 password if you remember it by going to your account settings. Open Settings, then click Accounts, and choose Sign-in options to find the password change tool.

1. ⚙️ Open Settings by clicking the ⊞ Start menu (the Windows icon at the bottom left) and select Settings. Or press Windows key + I on your keyboard to ⚙️ open Settings quickly.
2. In Settings, click Accounts from the left menu.
3. Then click Sign-in options on the right side.
4. Under “Ways to sign in,” find the Password section and click Change.
5. Follow the instructions: enter your current password, then type a new password twice.
6. Click Finish or Submit, and your password will be updated.

Here is what the Sign-in options screen looks like:

Note: You must know your current password to change it this way.

Resetting Your Password (If You Forgot It)

Windows 11 users can reset forgotten passwords. The exact password reset steps differ based on whether users sign in with a Microsoft account or a local account. Microsoft account resets typically involve an online verification process.

If You Use a Microsoft Account

If you use a Microsoft account for Windows 11, you can reset a forgotten password online. Go to Microsoft’s password reset page, follow the steps to prove it’s you, and create a new password to sign back into your PC.

1. Go to the Microsoft Account Password Reset page.
2. Follow the instructions to verify your identity and create a new password.
3. Use your new password to sign in to Windows 11.

If You Use a Local Account

If you have a local account on Windows 11, you can reset your password using the security questions you set up. On the login screen, enter a wrong password, click the ‘Reset password’ link, answer your questions, and set a new password.

1. On the login screen, enter any password you think might work.
2. If it’s wrong, click the Reset password link below the password box.
3. Answer the security questions you set up when creating your account.
4. Enter a new password and confirm it.
5. Sign in with your new password.

Example of the Reset password link on the login screen:

Answer the security questions you set up when you created your account:

What If You Can’t Reset Your Password?

If you’re stuck – you can’t remember your password, can’t answer your security questions, and couldn’t reset your Microsoft account online – your last resort is to reset your entire computer.

Warning: This will erase all your files, programs, and settings, so use it only if you have no other choice.

How to Reset Your PC

Resetting your Windows 11 PC is a last resort if you can’t get into your account, but it will delete all your files and apps. To start the reset, click the Power button on the login screen, hold Shift, and click Restart to access advanced options.

1. On the login screen, click the Power button (bottom-right corner).
2. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard, then click Restart.
3. When the blue screen appears, click Troubleshoot.
4. Select Reset this PC.
5. Choose Remove Everything to erase all data and reset Windows.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reset.

Summary

• Change your password anytime from ⚙️ Windows Settings if you know your current password.
• If you forget your password, reset it using security questions (local account) or Microsoft’s online tools (Microsoft account).
• Always keep your security questions and account info updated to avoid problems.
• If everything else fails, reset your PC—but remember this deletes everything!
• Keeping your password safe and up-to-date helps protect your computer and personal data.